Michael F. Nozzolio's Constituent stories

Mr. William (Bill) Yale was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Honeoye Falls, New York, where he graduated from Honeoye FallsLima High School. Following graduation, Mr. Yale entered the United States Navy in September 1977, and retired in March 1999 as a First Class Parachute Rigger. A Cold War Era veteran, Mr. Yale served on the USS Nitro AE-23, embarking on two Mediterranean deployments. He also served on the USS Nassau LHA-4 and was deployed to Beirut in 1984, and later, to the Arctic Circle; the USS Tripoli LPH-10 during the Gulf War in 1991, as well as the USS Inchon LPH-12 for NATO North Atlantic mine-clearing operations.

Susan K. Brown, PhD, is the Herman M. Cohn Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is a professor in the Department of Horticulture, and conducts her research on apple breeding at Cornell in Geneva.

Donald “Don” Linborg joined the United States Army in 1959 and attended basic training at Fort Dix, NJ. Don served as an Intelligence Clerk with the S-2 Headquarters VII Corps Artillery. He was chosen to attend the United States Army Intelligence School in Oberammergua, Germany, where he became a photo interpreter and map coordinator. After two years in Germany, Don returned to the United States, where he was assigned to the Army R&D Laboratory in Belmar, NJ, tasked with developing top secret projects such as Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) and infrared photography. Don served in the Army for a little more than three years and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Department of Defense Cold War Victory Medal and the New York State Liberty Medal.

Nozomi Hirayama Williams has been a longtime advocate and supporter of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as the arts, health care and education in the Finger Lakes Region.

Born in Japan, Ms. Williams is one of eight children. She met her husband, Samuel Burbank Williams, in Tokyo in 1964, the year of the Tokyo Olympics. They were married in 1965 in Mito, Japan. After they married, the couple settled in Geneva, New York, where Mr. WIlliams was the publisher and owner of the Finger Lakes Times.

Ralph Calabrese is a great American patriot who not only risked his life serving our nation overseas but, upon returning home, continued to dedicate himself to helping other servicemen and women who did the same.

When the Korean War started in 1950, Ralph felt the calling to defend his country in its time of need and enlisted in the Army. He bravely served for two years with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. For his valor and meritorious service during the conflict, Ralph received a number of decorations, including a Bronze Service Star, the Korean Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Patricia T. Cataldi is a lifelong resident of the Rochester area and has called Webster her home for the past 46 years. In recognition of her passion for Main Street revitalization, she was asked to serve on the planning board in 1999 and she was eventually elected to the Village Board in 2004, serving a term of four years. In 2009, Ms. Cataldi was elected to the Town Board of Webster, where she currently serves as the only councilwoman.

John Barwinczok’s distinguished five year Navy career included being a member of the Under Water Demolition Team 2, the precursor to the Navy Seals. John also served as Post Master for the 6th Fleet in Europe as well as serving a year on a destroyer. Just prior to his discharge, he and his fellow servicemen received “greetings” from President Truman, cancelling all discharges because of the Korean War and thus extending John’s service for another year.

Mary Herlihy Gearan is a model community activist in her community. Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in both Political Science and Economics from Emmanuel College in Boston and a Juris Doctorate from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Ms. Gearan went on to start a long and distinguished career in Washington, D.C..

I would like to thank State Road Elementary School and their students for participating in our Earth Day Poster Competition. In keeping with the theme of our Earth Day Celebration of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” We will celebrate and honor Earth Day this year by displaying your work on my website. Also, each participant will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation in the competition. Thank you and don’t forget to “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!”

Richard was born, raised and educated in Auburn, New York. He began his naval career in 1963 and served in the United States Navy and Naval Reserve for seven years, being honorably discharged in 1970 as a Gunners Mate 2nd Class.

In 1977, Rick joined the New York National Guard (1st of the 108th), where he served as Company Clerk and Supply Sergeant for five years.

In 1982, Rick transferred to the Army Reserves and for 14 years served as a Non-Commission Officer Instructor and a Training NCO. He retired as a G-7 SFC after 26 years of military service in 1997.